SENATOR KOLA BALOGUN COMMENDS OYO HANDLING OF COVID 19, ASKS PEOPLE TO STAY INDOORS

The Senator for Oyo South district at the 9th national Assembly, Dr. Kola Balogun has commended Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in Oyo State for swinging into action and doing everything possible to contain the spread of the virus in the state. 

According to the press release by his media aide, Rotimi Johnson Ojasope, the distinguished Senator who is also Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports expresses his concern for the well being of the people from Abuja, where the partial lockdown met him. According to him, "the state government under the leadership of Governor Makinde is doing very well in containing the disease, 4 weeks after the index case in Lagos. It is important to reiterate that our people should stay indoors and cooperate to break the transmission circle of the virus in the State and in Nigeria. It has been proven that the most effective combat against this virus is lockdown because contact with infected persons become minimal". 

Though fingers are not equal and we know restraining movement will affect some people more than the others but it is also important for our people to understand it is only the living and healthy that can do business; health itself is great wealth and this virus is not a respecter of social or financial status.

He concluded by saying: "Let's beg our people to stay indoors for the benefit of all; as soon as the human carrier of the virus is halted, the virus goes into extinction in our midst". 

Signed.

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope.

NATIONS SIGH FOR RELIEF AS CLINICAL TRIAL OF COVID 19 VACCINATION BEGINS

A human clinical trial of a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus will begin on Monday, the AP reports. The trial, which will test the effects of an experimental vaccine shot developed by the National Institutes of Health and drugmaker Moderna, won’t make use of either an active or inactive sample of the virus, as is common for vaccines, but will instead use a gene-based method that uses messenger RNA to trigger an immune

response in the target individual.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the vaccine being developed by Moderna in February, which is a relatively young company built around this gene-based approached to drug therapy development. At the time, the paper reported that testing was set to begin in April, but it seems like the change in the situation globally between the end of February and today have accelerated the timelines involved. That said, any final validation of a vaccine, even if it proves effective in trials, is at least a year to 18 months out according to public health officials.
This effort by Moderna and NIH is hardly the only attempt at a vaccine in development to address the continued threat posed by COVID-19; many efforts by both public and private sector participants, on both vaccines and cures, are in process. But this one is fast-tracking the human trial aspect of the clinical testing program.

Because its participants aren’t actually receiving the virus through the injection, they’re not at risk for contracting COVID-19 through the testing program. But there are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to injecting any newly-developed drugs, even into otherwise young and healthy volunteer participants like the reported 45 individuals taking part in this program. At this stage, NIH and Moderna will be looking to ensure that the drug being developed doesn’t produce any unwanted or dangerous side effects, after which further tests will be needed to prove efficacy and other elements of safety.

COVID 19; INDEX CASE CLEARED IN NIGERIA

COVID-19: Index case, contacts to be released from isolation next week — FG

-Says Nigeria still has only 2 cases, no new one

-Second case tests negative, it reveals

THE federal government has said the Italian man, Nigeria’s index case in the Coronavirus disease and his contacts will soon be released from quarantine centres.

The government also said the second confirmed case, a Nigerian, who contracted the virus via contact with the Italian Index case in the country, has now tested negative.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who made the disclosure on Friday while briefing newsmen, said the index case might be discharged early next week if he maintains steady progress, even as all contacts of the index case who have shown no symptoms of the virus after 14 days of isolation could likely be allowed to return to their normal lives.

He also noted that a group of four children and their teacher who were confirmed to have been in same space with a confirmed case before flying into Lagos from the United States, have been placed on isolation.

Prior to their arrival, the US Centre for Disease Control had alerted the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of their exposure to the Coronavirus. Although results of tests conducted on them returned negative, they would continue to remain in self isolation for the next 14 days for close monitoring and follow up.

“Between 7th January and 12th March 2020, a total of 42 people who met our case definition have been screened for COVID-19 in 6 States- Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Yobe, Rivers, Kano and FCT, out of which 40 tested negative and two were confirmed positive: the index case and a contact of index case, with no deaths.

“The index case is clinically stable and is much improved. Steady progress till early next week will guide the medical team in discharging him. The second confirmed case, a contact of the index case is testing negative for the virus, meaning he has cleared the virus and will be allowed to go home.

“As at today, 13th of March 2020, Nigeria has recorded still just two confirmed cases of COVID-19. One case is now negative and will be discharged from care, while the other will follow in a few days.

“After 14 days of follow up with no symptoms, all contacts of the index case will be permitted to go home and rejoin society.”

READ ALSO: Obaseki reactivates natural water collection points in Benin

Commenting on the National Sports Festival holding in the country soonest, the minister noted that every participant and spectator at the festival would undergo a strict screening to avoid a possible spread of the Coronavirus.

Ehanire who reiterated there was no need to place a travel ban on flights from any country, said every state has identified a location that could be used to manage possible cases of Coronavirus.

“We continue to monitor all incoming travelers, and select those that fit our case definition for secondary screening. Following declaration of a pandemic and increasing spread in countries, we have begun a review of our case definition. However, Nigeria has not yet placed a travel ban on any country, passport or flights.”

Meanwhile, the Minister has disclosed the need to activate Nigeria’s Point of Entry Policy on Prevention and Control of Cross Border Transmission of Yellow Fever for all international travellers, 9 months and older, arriving in areas with evidence of persistent or periodic transmission of yellow fever.

The policy which falls in line with WHO recommendation since the COVID-19 outbreak, “allow passengers without Yellow Cards or proof of vaccinations to board their flights to Nigeria, with the understanding that they will be given a Yellow Fever vaccination, on arrival at our Points of Entry.

” The vaccination is free of charge and the yellow card is at a nominal cost. This is in the interest of the health security of the public and all passengers. The effective date of the revised policy implementation was 11th March 2020. The revised policy was also communicated to NCAA for airlines to be so informed.

“However, other surveillance and prevention activities, including the implementation of the policy on prevention and control of cross border transmission of yellow fever, are still very important. Nigerians are required to obtain a yellow fever vaccination if they have not done so, and to show their yellow card or proof of vaccination before any international travel and upon arrival.”

RE: SEYI MAKINDE, THE MODERN TRAITOR OF COALITION. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

RE: THE MODERN TRAITOR OF COALITION

I  write in response to an article written about Akintunde Akinloye and I want to address him and his disgruntled co-travelers on the journey to smear Governor Seyi Makinde's reputation. Reading the post, I was looking out for statistics of appointments and what gave the writer the credibility to write about the issue but found none; he even failed to justify the word traitor used to describe the people's Governor. I sincerely think he was paid to do the hatchet job but poorly done. 

Though those aggrieved (not disgruntled), have every right to express their grievances but we must always set boundaries and limitations; we must stop this entitlement syndrome and learn to lobby and intensity negotiations. This particular issue would never have deserved my attention if Akinloye has chosen a milder word than traitor because everyone has right of expression. 

A traitor is someone who betrays a cause or principle and in this case, inclusion of representatives of the Coalition members in the Administration of Engr Seyi Makinde after the electoral victory. Well, I make bold to declare that Engr Seyi Makinde has appointed more people from coalition and former opposition than any of his predecessors. All coalition political parties already have their representatives in this administration already though i am not privy to the percentage agreed on. Almost a year down the line, the larger percentage of his cabinet members are not the original Omi Tuntun followers and the main PDP structure are still feeling disenfranchised in this administration, particularly because many people they considered as opposition have been appointed because our Principal made commitment to them. 

The question is: Was the coalition really a favour to Seyi Makinde or to Oyo State; did they support him because they believed he has what it takes or because they needed appointments afterwards? As much as I am a strong advocate of reward for loyalty, I also believe in fulfilling gentleman's agreement; that is, your word is your bond. However, this sense of entitlement changes the narration and going as far as name calling can spell doom for the House of Assembly candidates the writer tried to promote. The truth of the matter is: Seyi Makinde was a consensus candidate that saved the state from continuing maladministration and leadership misadventures, saved many of the opposition leaders from the shame of another defeat and then Seyi Makinde the opportunity to fulfill his dream. I believe we have all benefited from this coalition, not only GSM. 

Another factor which I must emphasize is the fact that there were many afforts prior to the coalition which made the proponents zero in on Engr Seyi Makinde:

1. Against all odds, Engr Seyi Makinde emerged the PDP candidate and afterwards, he didn't draw any battle line with High Chief Ladoja or other leaders that deflected from PDP.

2. The Seyi Makinde/PDP campaign was very intensive and with ever rising profile. 

3. The Omi Tuntun and PDP had done great job in selling their candidate to the people of Oyo state already, though that was not a guarantee of electoral victory in an APC state with recent case of inconclusive governorship election in neighbouring Osun State. 

4. Senator Kola Balogun/ Deputy Governor have joined the PDP with the confirmed tickets that boosted the profile of Engr Seyi Makinde and the PDP too. 

The above itemised phases took place before the Coalition and I am 100% sure that the Coalition could never have being without those phases. Otherwise, why was there no Coalition with Engr Seyi Makinde and SDP in 2015? Don't misconstrue me, I believe the Coalition rescued us all from APC and their inconclusiveness and also work on the psyche of the average voter that APC is now defeat-able but to put all the victory at the feet of Coalition is what I vehemently oppose.

I have nothing against Engr Seyi Makinde rewarding anyone with anything but these people should also know there are many others who also merit these appointments; they have been loyal, hardworking and resourceful over the years but yet to be appointed, so when throwing their tantrum, they should not insult the sensibility of these patient and faithful followers. At least, if the so called Coalition members have gone to the polls, there was no assurance of winning and they should stop treating is as if it was their Mandates they relinquished for Engr Seyi Makinde. Baba Ladoja and other principal players of the Coalition cannot call GSM traitor because they know he has been fair.

Let me conclude by quoting the Yoruba adage: "When a fish makes moves in the river, we know it's size ". So, please stop the name calling and desist from insulting the sensibility of many of the followers of Governor Seyi Makinde that are still begging and hoping to be appointed. 

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

Fellow- IPDCRM, ANIRP.